Some professional advice for the concerned parent about all that candy at Halloween, Easter,etc. If you'll recall from my first article, sugar intake is what feeds the bacteria that causes dental disease. Each intake allows the bacteria to turn sugar into acid that attacks the enamel and other tissues of the oral cavity. That acid attack lasts for 20-30 minutes with each intake.
What will sound on first blush as crazy, is actually good science. Don't beat youself up about letting your child go trick - or - treating and bringing all that candy home. Same goes for Easter , birthdays, etc. Let them be a normal child. The TRICK is: Let them eat all they want (and more) at one sitting till they are sick of it. Afterwards, have them brush their teeth.
After they've gone to bed, the candy can "disappear" and usually it is not missed later. The TREAT is this allows the child to get dressed up and enjoy Halloween like their friends, eat candy on that and other special occasions but not keep giving their teeth acid baths every 20 minutes for days on end. Thats when the old saying comes true "Eat Candy- Support Your Local Dentist".
If you really want to help us out, you could give out sugar free candy, gum etc. Especially things sweetened with Xylitol . Kids that come to our house get an apple and a toothbrush. They weren't too crazy about it, but their parents made sure our house was on their route for the free toothbrush! I'm not saying you have to go that far, but be creative with what you give out and don't stress - it's supposed to be FUN.
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Having just become aware of your blog, I went back and read your posts. What a lot of GOOD information!! especially for young families. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet. Any suggestions for future articles?
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